Electrical receptacle assembly

ABSTRACT

A receptacle assembly for use in connecting an energy source to an energy delivering device is described herein. The receptacle assembly includes a face plate defining an aperture. The receptacle also includes an adapter assembly including an adapter plate, supporting a terminal that is operatively connected to the energy source. Additionally, the receptacle includes a spacer member interposed between an inner surface of the aperture of the face plate and an outer surface of the adapter plate, wherein the spacer member permits omni-directional movement of the adapter plate and terminal relative to the face plate.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to receptacle assemblies and, moreparticularly, to receptacle assemblies for use in electrical devices,electrosurgical devices, and the like that are especially useful inmedical procedures wherein a power source is employed.

2. Description of Related Art

Due to slight part variations, receptacles and the plugs that aredesigned to connect to the receptacles sometimes do not align perfectly.This can cause the receptacles and the plugs to fail to operate andfunction as intended, which can cause discontent to the user and damageto the receptacle or plug during connection and/or disconnection. Thepresent disclosure relates to receptacle assemblies that can compensatefor misalignment between the receptacle and the plug caused by theseslight part variations.

When the receptacle and the plug are misaligned a number of concerns mayarise. For example, the force needed to extract and/or insert the pluginto the receptacle can be greater than when the receptacle and the plugare properly aligned. In another example, the connection between thereceptacle and the plug might be too loose. As a result, the plug maynot sit properly within the receptacle or the user may perceive that aproper connection has not been established.

SUMMARY

A receptacle assembly for use in connecting an energy source to anenergy delivering device is provided. In one embodiment, the energysource and the energy delivering device may be used to perform a medicalprocedure using a power source in the RF frequency spectrum.

The receptacle assembly includes a face plate defining an aperture, anassembly including an adapter late supporting a terminal that isoperatively connected to the energy source, and a resilient spacerinterposed between an inner surface of the aperture of the face plateand an outer surface of the adapter plate.

The aperture of the face plate is sized and shaped to permitomni-directional movement of the adapter plate, the aperture and theterminal being aligned along a common central axis. In one embodiment,the face plate is removably attached to the energy source. The faceplate includes a connector that extends from a front surface of the faceplate to a rear surface of the face plate. The face plate includes atleast two additional apertures that correspond to at least two oversizedoval apertures on the adapter plate. The additional apertures on theface plate are configured to each receive a fastening device, whereinthe fastening device can be at least two thumbscrews.

In one embodiment, the adapter plate has the terminal permanentlyattached thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the terminal may beremovably secured to the adapter plate such as via a locknut or thelike. The adapter plate includes the oversized oval apertures thatextend from a front surface of the adapter plate to a rear surface ofthe adapter plate. The adapter plate also includes an O-ring groove. Inone embodiment, the face plate and the adapter plate are adjustablyattached to each other.

The resilient spacer interposed between an inner surface of the apertureof the face plate and outer surface of the adapter plate permitsomni-directional movement of the adapter plate and terminal relative tothe face plate. In one embodiment, the spacer is an O-ring that is inoperative contact with the O-ring grove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a receptacle assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the adapterassembly and face plate assembly separated from one another;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter plate of thereceptacle assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle assembly of FIGS. 1and 2 as taken through 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustrating a terminal secured toa face plate thereof;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a receptacle assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure, with theadapter plate and face plate separated from one another;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter plate of thereceptacle assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle assembly of FIGS. 5and 6 as taken through 8-8 of FIG. 5, illustrating a connector securedto a face plate thereof;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter plate according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter plate according toyet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a receptacle assembly and a plug ofan energy delivering device aligned along a common central axisaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a receptacle assembly and a plug ofan energy delivering device not aligned along a common central axisaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic elevational view of the adapter plate assemblyconnected to the face plate, illustrating the operation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, a receptacle assembly according to anembodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated 10.Receptacle assembly 10 may be used for connecting a suitable energysource 40 to a suitable energy delivering device 50. The energy source40 and the energy delivering device 50 may be configured to perform anelectrosurgical medical procedure using a power source in the RFfrequency spectrum from relatively low frequencies (3-30 Megahertz) torelatively high frequencies (30-300 Gigahertz). Other suitableapplications are contemplated by the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment receptacle assembly 10 includes an adapterassembly 20 and a face plate 30 configured to support adapter assembly20. Adapter assembly 20 includes an adapter plate 21 configured tosupport a plug or terminal 22. Terminal 22 can be configured foroperative connection to the energy source 40.

Terminal 22 may be secured to adapter plate 21 via a suitable securingelement, such as a locknut 23. Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 5-8,terminal 22 may be permanently attached to adapter plate 21 via suitableadhesives or the like.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, adapter plate 21 can have any suitable shapeincluding but not limited to polygons (e.g., rectangular), sphericalpolygons (e.g., circular), and the like. Adapter plate 21 may be definedby a front surface 27, a rear surface 28, and sidewall(s).

Adapter plate 21 includes a flange 60 extending from front surface 27thereof. The distance that flange 60 extends from front surface 27 willdepend on the desires and/or needs of the user. Flange 60 may be sizedand shaped to fit within a corresponding bored cavity 39 that can belocated on a rear surface 33 of a face plate 30, as seen best in FIGS. 2and 4. Flange 60 may also be sized and shaped to receive an attachingdevice 23 for connecting terminal 22 to adapter plate 21.

Flange 60 can be any suitable shape including but not limited topolygons, spherical polygons and the likes. In one embodiment, as seenin FIGS. 2 and 3, flange 60 can have a generally circular shape definedby generally circumferential inner and outer walls, 62 and 63,respectively. Additionally, flange 60 defines an aperture 61 extendingthrough adapter plate 21. Aperture 61 can be configured to receive aportion of terminal 22 therein.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, flange 60 includes a circumferentialgroove 25 formed in outer wall 63 thereof. Groove 25 is configured toreceive a resilient spacer member 24 therein. The exact dimensions ofgroove 25 may depend on the dimensions of resilient spacer member 24,and this may depend on the desired seal between outer wall 63 of theflange 60 and an inner circumferential surface 37 of aperture 31 of faceplate 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, resilient spacer member 24 is an O-ring;however the spacer member employed can be any suitable spacer memberknown in the available art including a gasket, a bearing, a bushing andthe like. It is further contemplated that instead of resilient spacermember 24 being disposed within groove 25 formed in outer wall 63 offlange 60, resilient spacer member 24 can be a located within acircumferential groove (not shown) formed in inner circumferentialsurface 37 of aperture 31 of face plate 30.

In addition, resilient spacer member 24 can be made from any suitabletype of material known in the available art including but not limited tosynthetic rubbers and thermoplastics, which may be selected from thegroup comprising: acrylonitrile butadiene copolymers; butadiene rubber;butyl rubber; chlorosulfonated polyethylene; ethylene propylene dienemonomer; ethylene propylene monomer; fluoroelastomers;perfluoroelastomer; polyacrylate; polychloroprene; polyisoprene;polysulfide rubber; semi-conductive fluorocarbon with nano carbon tubes;silicone rubber; styrene butadiene rubber; thermoplastic elastomerstyrenics; thermoplastic polyolefin LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE;thermoplastic polyurethane polyether, polyester; thermoplasticetheresterelastomers; copolyesters; thermoplastic polyamide polyamides;melt processible rubber; and thermoplastic vulcanizate.

If needed, a lubricant, not shown, may be applied to groove 25 andresilient spacer member 24. The lubricant can be employed to facilitatethe operability and/or maintainability of resilient spacer member 24.

With specific reference to FIG. 3, adapter plate 21 includes at leasttwo apertures 26 formed therein and extending from front surface 27 torear surface 28 of adapter plate 21. In addition, the apertures 26 canbe located at opposite corners of adapter plate 21. The apertures 26 canbe configured to facilitate omni-directional movement of the adapterplate 21. In the illustrated embodiment, adapter plate 21 includes fourapertures 26 formed therein each located near a respective corner ofadapter plate 21.

The apertures 26 can be any suitable shape including circular, oval,square, rectangular and the like. In one embodiment, the apertures 26are generally oval in shape. For a given thumbscrew head diameter,employing at least two apertures 26 that are generally oval in shape canallow for maximum longitudinal motion of the adapter plate 21.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, each aperture 26 a can be generallycircular in shape.

In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10, instead of employing at leasttwo apertures 26, there can be at least two generally elongate slots 26b. In this embodiment, the slots 26 b extend from the front surface 27to the rear surface 28. Additionally, the slots can extend substantiallyfrom one side to an opposite side of adapter plate 21.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the apertures 26 of adapter plate 21 can bealigned along a common central axis of at least two correspondingapertures 32 formed in face plate 30.

Each aperture 26 can be configured to receive a fastening device 29.Fastening device 29 may be any suitable fastening device, such as aflathead screw, a Philips head screw, shoulder bolt, pin, nut and bolt,and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, adapter plate assembly 20 isconfigured to selectively support a terminal 22. Terminal 22 may beoperatively and selectively connected to the internal circuitry and/orcomponents (not explicitly shown) of energy source 40. For example, inone embodiment, terminal 22 can be configured as part of a male-femaleconnection, wherein the distal end of terminal 22 can have either a maleor female configuration. In alternative embodiment, the distal end ofterminal 22 can have wires configured to attach to the internalcircuitry of energy source 40. Terminal 22 may further include anysuitable feature needed for energy source 40 and energy deliveringdevice 50 to function as intended.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, terminal 22 can becoupled to adapter plate 21 via a locknut 23, wherein terminal 22 canhave external threads and locknut 23 can have internal threads, or viceversa. In another embodiment, terminal 22 can be coupled to adapterplate 21 via a traditional screw fit method, wherein terminal 22 canhave external threads and adapter plate 21 can have internal threadsprovided in aperture 62 thereof. In yet another embodiment, terminal 22can be press fit into adapter plate 21. In still another embodiment, asseen in FIGS. 5 and 6, terminal 22 can be permanently coupled to theadapter plate 21 via adhesives or welding, as will be discussed in moredetail below.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, face plate 30 includes at least two apertures32 formed therein at a location substantially aligned with correspondingapertures 26 of adapter plate 21 when adapter plate 21 is connected toface plate 30. The apertures 32 can be configured to each receive afastening device 29, such as, for example, thumbscrews. Further, faceplate 30 includes an aperture 31 configured to allow foromni-directional movement of adapter plate 21 when adapter plate 21 isattached thereto. Face plate 30 can be removably or fixedly coupled toenergy source 40 via suitable fastening members (not shown) extendingthrough apertures 35 formed in face plate 30. Face plate 30 may beconfigured to support a connector or terminal 36.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, face plate 30 can have anaperture 31 formed therein. Aperture 31 can be any suitable shape, suchas polygons, spherical polygons and the like. Aperture 31 can begenerally circular in shape and defined by a generally innercircumferential wall 37, which can extend from front surface 34 to arear surface 33 of face plate 30. Aperture 31 of face plate 30 is sizedto be larger than flange 60 of adapter plate 21. In this manner, whenadapter plate 21 is attached to face plate 30, flange 60 of adapterplate 21 is inserted into aperture 31 of face plate 30 and resilientspacer member 24 of adapter plate 21 is interposed between innercircumferential wall 37 of aperture 31 and outer wall 63 of flange 60.

Terminal 36 may be any suitable type of terminal known in the availableart including but not limited to an electrical connector, an RFconnector, an audio connector, a video connector, and the like. In oneembodiment, terminal 36 may be a 10 pin connector that may be used forsecuring a corresponding 10-pin prong. Additionally, terminal 36 may besecured to face plate 30 via any of the aforementioned securing devicesand/or methods employed for securing terminal 22 to adapter plate 21.For example, in one embodiment, terminal 36 may be secured to face plate30 via a locknut 38 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In another embodiment, as seenin FIG. 8 terminal 36 may be secured to face plate 30 via a press fit.

Further, as seen in FIG. 4, terminal 36 may be connected to the internalcomponents and/or circuitry of energy source 40. For example, in oneembodiment, terminal 36 may be configured as part of a male-femaleconnection, wherein the distal end of terminal 36 may have either a maleor female configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the rear end ofterminal 36 may have wires configured to attach to the internalcircuitry of energy source 40. Terminal 36 may include any suitablefeatures needed for energy source 40 and energy delivering device 50 tofunction and operate as intended.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-8, a receptacle plate assembly according to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure is hereinafterrepresented by the reference numeral 100. As shown in FIGS. 5-8,receptacle plate assembly 100 includes an adapter assembly 120 and aface plate 130. Adapter assembly 120 and face plate 130 function in asimilar fashion as in the hereinbefore described adapter assembly 20 andface plate 30. As a result, and unless otherwise noted, only thefeatures and/or members that are unique to adapter plate assembly 120and face plate 130 will be hereinafter discussed.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5-8, adapter assembly 120 includes anadapter plate 121 and a terminal 122 permanently attached thereto asdescribed above. Terminal 122 may be molded or formed as a part ofadapter plate 121 or may be permanently attached to adapter plate 121via soldering, welding, brazing and the like.

As seen in FIGS. 5-10, terminal 122 includes a circumferential groove125 configured to support or retain a spacer member 124 therein. As soconfigured, when adapter assembly 120 is secured to face plate 130 viafastener members 129, spacer member 124 is interposed between terminal122 and an inner circumferential wall 137 of aperture 131 of face plate130.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-13, a description of the operation of receptacleassembly 10 for connecting a plug 70 of an energy delivery device 50 isshown and described. As seen in FIG. 11, plug 70 includes a firstterminal 72 configured for selective electromechanical connection withterminal 36 of receptacle assembly 10, and a second terminal 74configured for selective electromechanical connection with terminal 22of receptacle assembly 10. A central axis 72 a of first terminal 72 isspaced a distance “W” from a central axis 74 a of second terminal 74.During manufacturing of plug 70, distance “W” between first and secondterminals 72 and 74 may vary from on energy delivery device 50 toanother (e.g., distance “W” may be relatively greater or less from oneenergy device 50 to another).

Accordingly, during connection of plug 70 of energy device 50 toreceptacle assembly 10 of energy source 40, adapter plate assembly 20 ismovable relative to face plate 30 in order to compensate for oraccommodate these differences in distance “W” between first and secondterminals 72 and 74.

As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, if a plug 70 including a first and secondterminal 72 and 74, spaced a distance “W1” from one another (e.g., lessthan distance “W”) is connected to receptacle assembly 10 of energysource 40, first terminal 72 is aligned and connected to terminal 36 ofreceptacle assembly 10 and, concomitantly therewith, terminal 22 ismoved or urged in the direction of arrow “A” (compressing spacer member24 at a first location therewith) until a central axis of terminal 22 isaligned with central axis 74 a of second terminal 74, thereby allowingfor proper connection of second terminal 74 with terminal 22.

Similarly, if a plug 70 including a first and second terminal 72 and 74,spaced a distance “W2” from one another (e.g., greater than distance“W”) is connected to receptacle assembly 10 of energy source 40, firstterminal 72 is aligned and connected to terminal 36 of receptacleassembly 10 and, concomitantly therewith, terminal 22 is moved or urgedin the direction of arrow “B” (compressing spacer member 24 at a secondlocation thereof) until a central axis of terminal 22 is aligned withcentral axis 74 a of second terminal 74 thereby allowing for properconnection of second terminal 74, with terminal 22.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

1. A receptacle assembly for use in connecting an energy source to anenergy delivering device, the receptacle assembly comprising: a faceplate defining an aperture having an inner radial surface; an adapterassembly including an adapter plate supporting a terminal that iselectrically connected to internal circuitry of the energy source; and aspacer member interposed between the inner radial surface of theaperture of the face plate and an outer surface of the adapter plate,wherein at least a portion of the spacer member contacts the innerradial surface of the face plate, wherein the spacer member permitsomni-directional movement of the adapter plate and terminal relative tothe face plate.
 2. The receptacle assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe face plate and the adapter plate are adjustably coupled to eachother.
 3. The receptacle assembly according to claim 1, the aperture isconfigured to allow for omni-directional movement of the adapter plate,the aperture and the terminal being aligned along a common central axis.4. The receptacle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal ispermanently coupled to the adapter plate.
 5. The receptacle assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the spacer is resilient.
 6. The receptacleassembly according to claim 1, wherein the face plate is removablycoupled to the energy source.
 7. The receptacle assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the face plate includes a connector that extends from afront surface of the face plate to a rear surface of the face plate. 8.The receptacle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal isremovably attached to the adapter plate.
 9. The receptacle assemblyaccording to claim 8, wherein the terminal is secured to the adapterplate via a locknut.
 10. The receptacle assembly according to claim 1,wherein the adapter plate has an O-ring groove.
 11. The receptacleassembly according to claim 10, wherein the spacer member is an O-ringengaged with the O-ring grove.
 12. The receptacle assembly according toclaim 11, wherein the fastening device is a thumbscrew.
 13. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adapter plateincludes at least two oversized apertures extending from a front surfaceof the adapter plate to a rear surface of the adapter plate.
 14. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 13, wherein the face plateincludes at least two apertures that correspond to the at least twooversized apertures, the at least two apertures each being configured toreceive a fastening device.
 15. A receptacle assembly for use inconnecting an energy source to an energy delivering device, thereceptacle assembly comprising: a face plate defining an aperture havingan inner radial surface the aperture is configured to allow foromni-directional movement of the adapter plate, the aperture and aterminal being aligned along a common central axis; an adapter assemblyincluding an adapter plate supporting the terminal that is electricallyconnected to internal circuitry of the energy source; and a spacermember interposed between an inner surface of the aperture of the faceplate and an outer surface of the adapter plate, wherein at least aportion of the spacer contacts the inner radial surface of the faceplate, wherein the spacer member permits omni-directional movement ofthe adapter plate and terminal relative to the face plate.
 16. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 15, wherein the face plate andthe adapter plate are adjustably coupled to each other.
 17. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 15, wherein the terminal ispermanently coupled to the adapter plate.
 18. The receptacle assemblyaccording to claim 15, wherein the spacer is resilient.
 19. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 15, wherein the face plate isremovably coupled to the energy source.
 20. The receptacle assemblyaccording to claim 19, wherein the face plate includes a connector thatextends from a front surface of the face plate to a rear surface of theface plate.
 21. The receptacle assembly according to claim 15, whereinthe terminal is removably attached to the adapter plate.
 22. Thereceptacle assembly according to claim 21, wherein the terminal issecured to the adapter plate via a locknut.
 23. The receptacle assemblyaccording to claim 15, wherein the adapter plate has an O-ring groove.24. The receptacle assembly according to claim 23, wherein the spacermember is an O-ring engaged with the O-ring grove.
 25. The receptacleassembly according to claim 15, wherein the adapter plate includes atleast two oversized apertures extending from a front surface of theadapter plate to a rear surface of the adapter plate.
 26. The receptacleassembly according to claim 25, wherein the face plate includes at leasttwo apertures that correspond to the at least two oversized apertures,the at least two apertures each being configured to receive a fasteningdevice.
 27. The receptacle assembly according to claim 26, wherein thefastening device is a thumbscrew.
 28. A receptacle assembly for use inconnecting an energy source to an energy delivering device, thereceptacle assembly comprising: a face plate defining an aperture, theface plate defining a plane; an adapter assembly including an adapterplate supporting a terminal that is electrically connected to internalcircuitry of the energy source; and a spacer member interposed between asurface of the aperture of the face plate and a surface of the adapterplate, wherein the spacer member permits movement of the adapter plateand terminal in a plane that is parallel to the plane defined by theface plate.